ERIK TEN HAG has launched a defiant defence of his team and his tactics following Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Burnley.
The Red Devils boss was booed for his decision to substitute fan favourites Rasmus Hojlund and Kobbie Mainoo in the 65th minute while the game was tied at 0-0.
Old Trafford’s frosty show of dissent towards the Dutchman came after Mainoo and Hojlund were replaced by Amad Diallo and Scott McTominay.
United scored shortly after the substitutions were made with Antony finding the net in the 79th minute.
But the Brazilian’s hard work was undone when a 87th minute Burnley penalty was dispatched by Zeki Amdouni to secure a 1-1 draw for the Clarets.
Ten Hag defended his substitutions, claiming that Hojlund, 21, and Mainoo, 19, need rest as they are still adjusting to life as Premier League regulars.
Speaking in his post match press conference he said: “I am the manager and have to decide what the team needs.
“It was the right decision and totally logical to bring off very young players who are in their first year of the Premier League and feel some fatigue.
“They have both had injuries this season and I want to protect them.”
Ten Hag went on to call for United fans to be patient with his team, adding: “Fans need patience.
“I understand they want to see the skills of these players but the league gets more intense year by year and the youngsters need to adjust. That takes time.”
It wasn’t just the die-hard supporters of Man Utd that Ten Hag appeared to have a message for either with the 54-year-old also seeming to take aim at former stars like Roy Keane and Gary Neville, who have criticised his side’s performances.
He said: “People forget that the Man United team of 2004-05, they also didn’t play that great football.
“They were building and it took time but everyone forgets, even the players who were in the team.”
Ten Hag and Co have come under fire for not only their style of play but also their form since the beginning of the season.
A Champions League group stage exit has been compounded by an astonishing 12 losses in the Premier League this term.
While despite reaching the FA Cup final, United came dangerously close to a monumental collapse after Championship side Coventry forced penalties in their Wembley clash after overturning the Red Devils’ three goal lead.
In spite of all this Ten Hag was still quick to praise his team for being “entertaining” in an interview with the BBC after their draw with Burnley.
He said: “We are one of the most dynamic and entertaining teams in the league at this moment.
“We are creating loads of chances by playing good football. Yes, we concede also. We have to learn from it because it was unnecessary to lose the control”.
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table and are some 13 points off Aston Villa in fourth place – likely to be the last remaining Champions League spot this season.
It doesn’t get much easier for the club either with tough clashes against league leaders Arsenal and in form Crystal Palace on the horizon.
